Brakes pulsating in reverse

2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
48,000 MILES • 5.3L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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MIGUEL GARCIA2
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I recently installed a new front leveling kit and 33"-inch tires. As well new rotors and brakes. Recently when I reverse and press the brakes the brakes start to pulsate or stutter. The ABS light came on momentarily but went away and hasn't come on since. Do I need to replace the ABS sensors or were the brakes installed incorrectly?
Dec 20, 2021 at 5:47 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

That's a good question. Since the ABS light came on, my first suspect is what you felt was the ABS actuating. Was there any noise associated with the stutter? How aggressive are the tires on the vehicle? Also, since you changed the tire size, there could be an issue with tire size/ABS calibration. However, if this just started with the levelling kit, that is a little odd.

Did you have the front end realigned since adding the leveling kit? That should be done as well.

Let me know as much as you can. As far as installing the brakes incorrectly, anything is possible, but I feel you would notice it regardless of vehicle direction. Here is a link that explains in general how brakes/rotors are installed. Take a look through it and see if there is anything you may have missed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-front-brake-pads-and-rotors-fwd

Let me know.

Joe
Dec 20, 2021 at 7:45 PM
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MIGUEL GARCIA2
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Joe,

Thanks for your reply and there's no noise when the abs actuated. Also, the tires are all terrain 33" Toyo's and did get a front-end alignment after they installed the leveling kit. What I believe might be the ABS sensor are dirty and need to clean them. I don't think I installed the brakes wrong because like you said I would have noticed something right away. This weekend I will clean the sensors and see if that clears the problem.
Dec 21, 2021 at 5:35 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Hi,

Absolutely the toner rings can get dirty and cause the ABS signal from a sensor to fail. So that is a good idea. Also, here is a link that explains how to test an ABS/wheel speed sensor. All you need is a multimeter or a voltmeter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
Dec 21, 2021 at 1:42 PM